Herstory

The Women’s Center was formally established in 1972, although our existence is clearly thanks to the dedication and activism of the feminist community which was well established before that. Here is a portion of the story, but we know that this could not reflect the diversity of perspectives and voices of all of those who were involved.

Bolstered by the national climate of the civil rights movement and the women’s liberation movement, a group of students, faculty, and community members began organizing in the late 60’s in an effort to raise awareness of the issues facing women on campus. This led to the formation of the Free Women’s Collective in 1972, which had establishing a Women’s Center as a primary goal. In March of 1972, Elizabeth (Betty) Roper, the Director of the Continuing Education for Women program provided temporary space in the Bishop Center for the Center. She also was responsible for overseeing the hiring of the first full-time Director.

In the first two years of our existence much of the focus was on providing permanent and adequate space for the Center. At the same time, there were several critical moments of feminist activism occurring on campus around accessible facilities, affirmative action, and discrimination. As part of that activism, a number of collectives formed. These collectives brought together individuals who were interested in and/or impacted by specific identities or life circumstances. They included the Black Women’s Collective, the Child Care Collective, the Counseling Collective, the Lesbian Collective, the Library Collective, and the Writers’ Collective. Over time these collectives became either the foundation for free-standing organizations, such as the Rape Crisis Collective which became the local sexual assault crisis center, or were integrated into what is now known as the Women’s Center’s Board of Advisors. Our commitment to creating space for dialogue among and between identity groups continues in the work of our Women’s Advance Conference Planning committee and our Women of Color Events Planning committee.

Our herstory tells the story of what can happen when we build alliances and support networks in the name of social justice. We hope that if you find something in our herstory or our current work that speaks to you, that you will stop by the Center and explore the community that celebrates women’s diversity and strengths, while actively confronting societal challenges and obstacles through activism sand change.

Women’s Center Timeline

1972-1973

Women’s Center is established. It includes a library, counseling services, referral services, and rape crisis support and advocacy.

Started Women’s WHUS Radio Collective. Offered career counseling series.

1986-1987

Publication of CT Peer Project on Teen Pregnancy, Education, Attrition. Involvement with Project on Women and Technology and CT Women’s Network. Major advocacy efforts to improve child care on campus.

1987-1988

Co-sponsored two national conferences, “Global Perspectives: Local Action, Equality, Development, and Peace” and “Women, Work, and Technology.”

1988-1989

Publication of “Inching Toward Equality” and “Small Indignities/Large Affront: A Qualitative Study of Graduate Life.” Establishment of Vocational Equity Research Training Evaluation Center with School of Education.

1989-1990

Publication of three research reports (Double Jeopardy – The Precarious Status of Women of Color, Child Care – Everyone’s Concern, and Traditional Dreams in a Changing World: Balancing Work and Family).

1990-1991

Publishing of “It’s Our Shop Too!” Chairing a campus Day of Metanoia committee.

1992-1993

Establishment of Mandatory Orientation Training for all incoming students on sexual assault and acquaintance rape. Expanded support groups for students, services for women of color, and advocacy services.

1990-2000

Publication of three research reports (Double Jeopardy – The Precarious Status of Women of Color, Child Care – Everyone’s Concern, and Traditional Dreams in a Changing World: Balancing Work and Family). Planning Participant for the 100 Years of Women Celebration. Initiated ongoing sexual assault training for athletes. Involvement in “We Won’t Go Back” rally in Washington, DC.

2000-2001

Awarded Department of Justice Grant to combat violence against women on the University campus.

2001-2002

Helped organize the first Cultural Explosion and Love Your Body Day.

2002-2003

Awarded the “Advancing the Status of Women” award from the Soroptimist International of Willimantic, CT and recognized at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund’s 15th Annual Hosted the 16th Annual Women’s Health Conference with the School of Nursing.

Start Smart â Salary Negotiation for WomenThe Start Smart workshop is specifically designed to empower women college students about to enter the job market with the skills and confidence to successfully negotiate their salary and benefits packages. By learning strategies and practicing effective language, participants gain valuable skills they can use throughout their lives â well beyond their next negotiation.

This is a free workshop, but registration is required. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StartSmartMarch2018

LUNAFEST is a traveling film festival of award-winning short films by, for and about women. This seasonâs program of six selected films will compel discussion, make you laugh, tug at your heartstrings and motivate you to make a difference in your community. Incredibly diverse in style and content, LUNAFEST is united by a common thread of exceptional storytelling - by, for and about women. Collectively, LUNAFEST films captivate audiences, compel dialogue and arm those who participate with both the knowledge and the motivation to make a difference in their communities. For more information about the films, please visit https://www.lunafest.org/filmmakers

Tickets for the filmfest will be available for purchase on the Womenâs Centerâs website in March.

A discussion group for queer or questioning women.Â Â Come and discuss fun topics, movies and more with women who share your feelings and experiences. Although we love the support of our allies, this meeting is closed to LGBTQIA* women. This is for the confidentiality and comfort of our participants. This is not appropriate for students from classes who are interested in interviewing those within the community. If you are interested in attending this group, please contact the facilitator. For topic information, please visit https://womenscenter.uconn.edu/programs-services/groups/

MAKERS: Women Who Make AmericaÂ tells theÂ remarkable storyÂ of the most sweeping social revolution in American history, as women have asserted their rights to a full and fair share of political power, economic opportunity, and personal autonomy. Itâs a revolution that has unfolded in public and private, in courts and Congress, in the boardroom and the bedroom, changing not only what the world expects from women, but what women expect from themselves. MAKERS brings this story to lifeÂ with priceless archival treasures and poignant, often funnyÂ interviews with those who led the fight, those who opposed it, and those first generations to benefit from its success. Trailblazing women like Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey share their memories, as do countless women who challenged the status quo in industries from coal-mining to medicine. MAKERS captures with music, humor, and the voices of the women who lived through these turbulent times the dizzying joy, aching frustration and ultimate triumph of a movement that turned America upside-down.

Part Three: Charting a New Course

As the Movement achieved long-sought goals, a new generation of women were re-evaluating some of its most basic assumptions, especially the balance between work and family. By the 2000s, the movement was again under attack from conservatives seeking to rollback abortion and contraception laws, and by younger women fleeing the very word âfeminism.â

A discussion group for queer or questioning women.Â Â Come and discuss fun topics, movies and more with women who share your feelings and experiences. Although we love the support of our allies, this meeting is closed to LGBTQIA* women. This is for the confidentiality and comfort of our participants. This is not appropriate for students from classes who are interested in interviewing those within the community. If you are interested in attending this group, please contact the facilitator. For topic information, please visit https://womenscenter.uconn.edu/programs-services/groups/